Suspected serial robbers denied bail

Innocent Selatlhwa | Wednesday October 21, 2015 17:07

 

The men are suspected to be behind a robbery spree that occurred in the area at the beginning of June.

Public Prosecutor Sub Inspector, Tsogo Rantopa, told the court that it was appropriate that the suspects be denied bail as investigations were still ongoing and some other suspects were yet to be arrested.

One of the accused, the first respondent, Zvenyika Mukanganise, pleaded guilty and told the court that the other five were not involved in any of the crimes.

Mukanganise testified that he and three other men not before court were solely responsible.

“I am pleading, please release the others. I committed the crimes with three other men who the police are failing to arrest. It would be unfair to keep the others here when they have not committed any offence,” Mukanganise said.

The other five, Ishmael Chamakaona, Thabani Nkomo, Paul Sambadoti, Lovemore Mushidza and Arnold Kadonda, also denied any involvement in the criminal activity.

Chamakaona told the court that the reason he was arrested was because he was found fetching water with Mukanganise, while Nkomo said he only knew Mukanganise through a mutual friend.

Sambadoti said he knew the first respondent as he had once rented his house in Phakalane.

“When I failed to pay his rent I moved out leaving some of my property as surety while looking for the money,” he said.

Mushidza and Kadonda said they had bought a generator and a plasma tv respectively from Mukanganise.

According to the charge sheet, the men stole gas cylinders, electric appliances, laptops, clothes, a generator, money and borehole equipment amongst other items. Some of the items were recovered and are being kept at the Mogoditshane Police Station as exhibits.

Delivering her verdict, Magistrate Gennai Jansen said the six should remain in custody to allow time for investigations without providing room for interference.

She said all the issues raised by the six would be dealt with in due course.